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Friday, April 9, 2010

Training analysis for track cycling sprint events

I am pretty much self coached, trying to pick up bits and pieces from reading many books. Track cycling training programs appear to be highly secretive and what works for one person might not work for you. I have found that Track and Field training for 100 meter and 800 meter events are pretty much similar to the training for Track Cycling flying 200 meter and Kilo events. The same energy systems have to be trained therefore the training programs are similar. Training for the Kilo pretty much places you in good shape for the flying 200 meters, since both events are essentially sprint events and there is some training overlap. Below is an analysis of my training so far. The father of all books regarding Periodization and Training is one called "Periodization" by Tudor Bompa and Gregory Haff. Other good books in my collection can be found here, here and here.Best 2009 Kilo time with 200 meter split times:

The strength and power weight-training I am doing, weight used and number of sets, reps and duration of rest:

Before embarking on a weight training program one has to have functional strength to begin with. Must be able to manipulate your body weight by being able to do exercises such as push ups, pull ups, vertical jumps, standing long jumps etc. So I did a base line Fit Test to check functional strength. It is one thing to be able to lie on your back and do a 200 lb bench press and another to do 100 push ups in one minute. Not too many sports require you to lie on you back and press a weight.

For strength training I did a one rep max test to determine maximum weight I can lift, based on that I do 4 sets per exercise at the required percentage of weight (6 to 4 reps) increasing the weight on each set and reducing reps, with 1 to 2 minutes rest between sets. Main exercises are the half squat with thighs parallel to the floor, hack squat and leg press. Also alot of one legged excercises with lighter weights. One particularly functional excercise is to hold a 25 to 45 lb plate in front of you while standing on a box or bench, then squat down on one leg and come back up. This works the core, hips, thighs and balancing muscles. Noticed that body weight went up during this phase of training.

For hypertrophy training I do 4 sets per exercise (10 to 8 reps) increasing weight on each set and reducing reps with 1 to 2 minute rest between sets. Main exercise is the full squat with butt all the way to the floor.

For power training, I pick a weight I can handle and do 8 to 5 reps with 2 to 3 minutes rest between sets, increasing the weight slightly with each set and reducing reps. Main exercise is the power clean and the 5x5x5 squat. I also do plyometric jumps such as box jumps, one legged jumps, squat jumps, plyometric push ups. I also wear a 40lb weighted vest for some of these plyometric exercises. Even on the track bike at the velodrome, I wear the weighted vest to add an element of stress during certain efforts, such as cog sprints where you sprint up the banking on every lap.

Before weight training I do a movement prep warm up which focuses on getting the body warmed up for exercise. Movement prep routine includes core work, twisting exercises, push ups, pull ups, sit ups, lunges, dynamic stretching with tension bands, balance moves with physioball. Also agility exercises to develop agility and coordination.

As it gets closer to racing season - Tabata intervals in the mornings three times a week on days I weight train - 20 seconds max effort 10 seconds rest for 8 reps (4 minutes worth of work), five minute warm up and five minute cool down - wattage range from about 250 to 450 watts. Noticed that since I started interval training, body weight and body fat percentage have gone down.

Endurance rides for two hours in my endurance range 111 - 149 watts.

Intervals at Vo2 max threshold 1 min to 8 minutes with one to one work to rest ratio, Vo2 max range 210 – 238 watts.

Intervals at Lactate threshold 10 min to 20 minutes with one to one work to rest ratio, lactate range 180 to 208 watts.

Recovery rides at less than 109 watts for 1 hour.

Leg speed workouts - spin at 120 to 130 rpms for 5 to 10 minutes and try to max out for about 10 seconds at 190 rpms with very low resistance.

2 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Hi! I am interested to know if you know of any records for the kilo on a spinning bike? I´m a PE teacher and the idea came to me as a Christmas Fayre fundraiser to buy another spinning bike! As the competitor can personally set the resistance on a spin bike the test seems to all depend on cadence and anaerobic power, am I right? Is it a fair test, do you think?

Thanks for sharing this... as I'm just getting into track, I really appreciate reading about other's training plans. I agree, track training seems to be this giant secret. I've just found your blog and really enjoy it, I'm looking forward to reading more of it.

Do you have any training tips for someone who is a real beginner? I want to do things correctly the first time, and not have to correct bad habits down the road...